Goodbye 20Th Century: Sonic Youth and the rise of alternative nation

There's truly never been a rock institution quite like Sonic Youth. Their distinctive, uncompromising sound mapped out new territory for countless musicians who followed. In 2005, CMJ – that bible of the indie and alternative music world – ranked them No. 3 on its list of the 25 most influential artists of the last quarter century. That's no small feat.

But their impact wasn't just confined to the music. The Sonic Youth worldview was expansive, encompassing punk rock, trashy pulp fiction, pop-art minimalism, contemporary classical composition, glam rock, leftist politics, feminist iconography, and a sharp, ironic humour. Loads of musicians and artists – including Kurt Cobain, Beck, Spike Jonze, and Sofia Coppola – found their initial spark or broader audience thanks to Sonic Youth.

Now, for the full, glorious story, we have David Browne's superb Goodbye 20th Century. This is the definitive account of 'the Velvet Underground of their generation', drawing on extensive research, fresh interviews with the band and their close collaborators, plus unprecedented access to unreleased recordings and documents.

What's more, it's packed with never-before-published photos and artwork. Goodbye 20th Century is a genuinely detailed account of an iconic band and the pivotal times they helped shape. If you're into music that pushed boundaries, this one's essential.